Marin Readers' Forum for Nov. 13

We have attended past ceremonies elsewhere honoring the sacrifices of America's military members, before more recently settling in Marin. Sunday morning's event at Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium was quite moving.

While many aspects of that Veterans Day ceremony were worthwhile, my husband and I especially appreciated listening to live musicians playing our National Anthem, the Armed Forces' branches' marching music, and John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever," rather than recordings. Particularly noteworthy was the inclusion of the Merchant Marine's theme song, which was truly a treat for relatives and admirers of our brave Merchant Marines to hear. Also, the sound of "Taps" played live outdoors beside the dignified monuments adorned with lovely floral displays brought tears to many an eye, recalling loved ones and comrades who perished from the wounds of military service. Their memories would nonetheless be honored by a bugle with an amplified digital-audio device in the bell to play a recorded rendition — but many thanks, Marin, for the live version.

Larry and Marie Gray, San Anselmo

Sanitary district merger

The Marin Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has set in motion the consolidation of four sanitary districts in Southern Marin — the Alto, Almonte, Homestead Valley and Richardson Bay districts. The management of all four districts opposes this consolidation and feels it will result in increased costs to all ratepayers and a decline in service in all districts.

The issue in this letter is whether we individual ratepayers have the opportunity to say whether or not we want consolidation.

In order to put this to a vote and not have it forced upon us, each district needs to have 10 percent of its registered voters sign a petition asking for a vote. This must be done no later than Nov. 14 to meet the Nov. 15 deadline set by LAFCO.

 For Richardson Bay Sanitary District residents, you can visit www.richardsonbaysd.org to read details about how the consolidation would effect you and the rates you pay. You can download the petition, sign it and drop it off in the RBSD mailbox at the start of the multiuse path at Blackie's parking lot.

 For Alto and Homestead, call Tom Roberts at 415-388-3696 on how to obtain a petition and where to send it..

 For Almonte visit www. almontesd.org for a flier, petition and instructions on where to send them.

It takes 10 percent of the registered voters in each district to get the right to vote. No 10 percent in your district means no vote.

Whether you are for consolidation, or against it, as I am, preserve your right to vote in your district by acting now.

Ronald Kosciusko, director, Richardson Bay Sanitary District

'Tragic' fall of Petraeus

Sad, sad commentary, indeed, speaking of the fall of Gen. David Petraeus. I read every so often that the enemy within is a greater cause of the fall of men and nations than an enemy without. And so it is.

What is so tragic is that a man whose entire career was with the Army, an institution that demands strict discipline, was unable to discipline himself. No one forced Gen. Petraeus into an affair — his own passions did that. And so it is, the internal enemy did what an external enemy could never do. Tragedy heaped.